Spreader assembly

Abstract

A spreader assembly may include a hopper having a receptacle for holding salt, or the like, and at least one chamber formed between the receptacle and an outer surface of the hopper. The chamber may hold a liquid used to pre-wet the salt before it contacts a ground surface. The hopper may be an insert hopper formed as a one piece plastic component in a rotational molding operation.

We claim: 
     
       1. A spreader assembly comprising: a hopper comprising: an inner surface defining a receptacle; an outer surface; first and second chambers formed between the inner surface and the outer surface on opposite sides of the receptacle; a first aperture formed on the outer surface that communicates with the receptacle; and, a second aperture formed on the outer surface that communicates with the first and second chambers;
 wherein the first and second apertures extend to an intake of a chute assembly; a first mechanism that: the hopper supports to a bed of an associated pick-up truck; and, moves an associated solid material from the receptacle to the first aperture; a second mechanism that: is supported to the hopper; and, moves an associated liquid material from the first and second chambers to the second aperture; wherein the hopper is a one piece plastic component formed in a rotational molding operation; and, wherein the hopper is an insert hopper sized and shaped to be received on a bed of an associated pick-up truck. 
 
     
     
       2. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the hopper has relative front and back ends and first and second sides when on the bed of the associated pick-up truck; 
 a well is formed on the back end of the hopper and is separated from the receptacle by a wall; 
 the first mechanism extends from the receptacle, through the wall and into the well; 
 the spreader assembly further comprises a drive that: drives the first mechanism to move the associated solid material from the receptacle to the first aperture; and, is positioned within the well; and, 
 the spreader assembly further comprises a cover that encloses the well. 
 
     
     
       3. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  further comprising: a spinner mechanism comprising a plate that is rotated by a drive; the chute assembly comprising a body portion that: is a one piece plastic component; at least partially surrounds the plate and the drive of the spinner mechanism; and, comprises a through aperture having the intake and a discharge; a lip formed on one of the chute assembly and the hopper; a slot formed on the other of the chute assembly and the hopper; and, wherein the chute assembly is manually adjustable by sliding the body portion with respect to the hopper and the lip with respect to the slot between: (1) a first condition where the chute assembly is attached to the hopper below the well and the through aperture communicates the associated solid material from the first aperture to the plate; and, (2) a second condition where the chute assembly is not attached to the hopper. 
     
     
       4. The spreader assembly of  claim 3  wherein the body portion of the chute assembly comprises:
 a first cavity on a first side of the body portion that defines a first handle; and, 
 a second cavity on a second side of the body portion that defines a second handle. 
 
     
     
       5. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  wherein: a bottom surface of the hopper positioned directly below the receptacle contacts the bed when the hopper is on the bed; each of the first and second chambers has a bottom surface that: contacts the bed when the hopper is on the bed; and, is positioned laterally outside the bottom surface of the hopper positioned directly below the receptacle; and, a groove separates each of the bottom surfaces of the first and second chambers and the bottom surface of the hopper positioned directly below the receptacle. 
     
     
       6. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  wherein: a bearing is overmolded with respect to the hopper; and, the first mechanism is an auger that: extends completely through the receptacle; has a first end rotatably supported to the bearing; and, has a second end connected to a drive positioned within the well that rotates the auger to move the associated solid material from the receptacle to the first aperture. 
     
     
       7. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third chamber that: is formed between the inner surface and the outer surface; communicates with the second aperture; and, is formed on one of the opposite sides of the hopper; and, 
 a fourth chamber that: is formed between the inner surface and the outer surface; communicates with the second aperture; and, is formed on the other of the opposite sides of the hopper. 
 
     
     
       8. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a receptacle extension assembly that: attaches to the hopper around a perimeter of the receptacle; comprises first, second, third and fourth wall extensions; wherein the first, second, third and fourth wall extensions comprise first, second, third and fourth keys and first, second, third and fourth slots that respectively receive the first, second, third and fourth keys to attach the first, second, third and fourth wall extensions together; and, wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth wall extensions has a pin that is received in a slot formed in the hopper. 
     
     
       9. The spreader assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the hopper has relative top and bottom surfaces when on the bed of the associated pick-up truck; and, 
 a light; is positioned within a cavity formed on the bottom surface of the hopper; and, illuminates an associated ground surface upon which the associated solid material is spread.